Trousers-stretcher



(No Model.)

B. McLAUG-HLIN. TROUSERS STRETGHER.

No. 379,118. Patented Mar. 6, 1888.

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EDWARD MOL AUGHLIN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

TROUSERS-STRETCH ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 379,118, dated March 6, 1888.

Application filed November 26, 1886. Serial No. 219,923. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that T, EDWARD MOLAUGHLIN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Trousers Leg Stretch ers, of which the following is a specification. The object of my invention is to provide a cheap and simple form of stretcher for application to the legs of trousers, to cause the latter to retain their proper shape when they are not being worn; and this object I attain in the manner which I will now proceed to describe, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a trousersleg stretcher constructed in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2, a view of a pair of trousers, showing my improved stretcher applied to one of the legs of the same; and Fig. 3, a side view of a special form of stretcher embodying my invention.

My improved stretcher consists of a piece of wire bent so as to form a skeleton frame, comprising the opposite side bars, a a, a central inwardly-projecting and tapering tongue, b, at one end, and an outwardly-projecting tongue, (2, at the opposite end, both of said tongues being preferably provided at the tips with coils f, as shown, so as to enhance theirlateral elasticity. Y

To the tapering tongue 0 is adapted a link, 9, by the adjustment of which on said tongue the expansion of the inner portion of the stretcher may be regulated, for a purpose hereinafter set forth. The stretcher is of such length that it will extend from the bottom of the leg of a pair of trousers to a point above the knee of the same, and in applying the stretcher the latter is thrust into the leg from the top until the coilsf at the outer end of the tongued project beyond the bottom of the leg. The leg will consequently be stretched crosswise, so as to prevent bagginess or loss of shape; but it is advisable that the fabric shall not be subjected to the pressure of the stretcher at and near the knee, otherwise there is likely to be an' objectionable creasing of the material at that point. After the stretcher is applied to the leg, therefore, I lightly press together the opposite bars of the same at the knee while the trousers are in the inverted position shown in Fig. 2, so that the link 9 will slip down on the tapering'tongue I) of the stretcher and will retain the knee portion of the same in this contracted condition, whereby, although the stretcher fills the leg sufficient'l y to prevent bagging, it does not exert such outward pressure upon the fabric at and near the knee as would tend to crease the same. That end of the stretcher which is provided with the inwardly-projecting tongue I), I term the inner end of the stretcher, as it occupies the position within the leg when applied thereto.

The coilsf on the tongue'd of the stretcher form an eye, which may be utilized as a means of hanging the trousers upon a hook or nail in a wardrobe or closet.

In the special form of stretcher shown in Fig. 3 a reverse bend, i, is formed between the side bars, a a, of the stretcher and the end tongue, d, this construction being adopted when increased elasticity of the outer portion of the stretcher is required. Both of the tongues b and d are in the same plane as the side bars, a, of the stretcher, so as to permit the fabric to be drawn fiat from one side barto the other.

I claim as my invention- 1. A trousers-leg stretcher'consisting of a skeleton frame free to expand and contract laterally, and comprising opposite side bars, and a longitudinally-projecting elastic tongue interposed between the inner ends of said side bars, said tongue being in the same plane as the bars and tending to expand the latter, and

the whole being formed of a continuous piece of wire, all substantially as specified.

2. A trousers-leg stretcher consisting of a skeleton frame free to expand and contract laterally, and comprising opposite side bars with longitudinally-projecting elastic tongues connecting said side bars at each end of the frame, said tongues being in the same plane as the side bars and tending to expand the lat ter, and the whole being formed of a continuous piece of wire, all substantially as specified.

3. A trousers-leg stretcher consisting of a skeleton frame of wire having at the ends elastic tongues with coils at the tips, all substantially as specified.

4. A trousers-leg stretcher consisting of a In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EDWARD MOLAUGHLIN.

Vitnesses:

WILLIAM D. CONNER, HARRY SMITH. 

